Deployment mechanism and hydraulic system for an agricultural mower

ABSTRACT

An agricultural mowing device that includes a tongue configured for connecting to an agricultural vehicle, a trail frame, first and second trail-frame wheels, first and second lift actuators for lifting the trail frame, a trail-frame actuating mechanism operably connected in between the tongue and the trail frame and configured for rotating the trail frame, and a transport system. The transport system includes a transport frame, first and second transport wheels, and a transport actuating mechanism rotatably connecting the transport frame to the tongue. The transport actuating mechanism includes a transport actuator operably connected in between the tongue and the transport frame and configured for rotating the transport frame.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention pertains to an agricultural mowing device and,more specifically, to a transport system for the agricultural mowingdevice.

A farmer may use an agricultural mowing device, such as mower or mowerconditioner, to cut crop material like hay or grass and deposit the cutcrop material onto the field in windrows or swaths. Typically, themowing device is towed behind an agricultural vehicle, such as atractor. For cutting large fields, many mowing assemblies include adriving vehicle that pushes a mower conditioner in front of the vehiclewhile simultaneously pulling another mower conditioner behind thevehicle.

A mower generally includes a tongue connectable to the tractor, asubframe, i.e., trail frame, a cutting device, and a transport system. Amower conditioner additionally includes conditioning rollers forconditioning the cut crop material. The mower can be variouslyconfigured as a disc, sickle, or drum mower wherein the cutting deviceincludes a series of rotatable discs, a sickle bar, or a rotating drum,respectively. In a disc-type mower, such as a Discbine®, the disc cutterbar may generally include multiple juxtaposed cutterheads for cuttingthe standing crop. Each cutterhead may consist of a rotating disc withdiametrically opposed cutting blades or knives affixed to the body ofthe disc.

The transport system of a pull-behind mowing device is used to reducethe overall profile of the mowing device for transportation thereof.Generally, due to practical or regulatory limits, the width of themowing device in its operating orientation prevents the towedtransportation of the mowing device on farm lanes, roadways, or throughgates. To reduce the width of the mowing device, the transport systemmay include a separate transport trailer or an integrated transportsubframe with transport wheels that selectively support the mowingdevice.

The separate transport trailer may reorient the mowing device and carrythe mowing device with its width extending along the longitudinal lengthof the transport trailer. In this regard, the mowing device is arrangedparallel to the forward direction of travel of the towing vehicle. Suchtransport trailers may be useful; however, these transport trailers mayadd significant cost to the overall mowing operation. For instance, suchtransport trailers must be separately purchased, maintained, andtransported between the various fields and farm headquarters, whichincreases the operating cost of a mowing operation.

Integrated transport systems typically include a pivotable subframe withwheels for selectively supporting the mower and multiple actuators forpivoting the mower to be parallel with the forward direction of travelof the towing vehicle. Integrated transport systems can be moreconvenient than separate transport trailers; however, the addedcomponents may significantly increase the overall weight of the mowerpackage. Also, in the transport position, the weight of the mowingdevice may be unevenly distributed amongst the transport wheels. Forinstance, in the transport position, a traditional integrated transportsystem may unevenly balance the weight of the cutter bar such that theright wheel may carry more weight, such as 1.5-2 times more weight, thanthe left wheel. This uneven weight distribution may lead to excess wearon the system and increase the overall cost of the transport systemsince larger wheels are typically required to support the uneven weight,even though only one wheel actually supports the excess weight.Furthermore, traditional transport systems for center pivot mowersattach to the trail frame of the mower. Therefore, the transport systemsmove with the trail frame during field maneuvers, for example when themower moves in between its field left and right positions. The addedweight of the transport system introduces a large amount of inertia tothe system, which may cause discomfort and instability to the operatorwhen the field position changes quickly.

What is needed in the art is a cost-effective and efficient integratedlateral transport system for a mowing device.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one exemplary embodiment formed in accordance with the presentinvention, there is provided an agricultural mowing device with a trailframe, a trail-frame actuating mechanism, and a lateral transportsystem. The trail-frame actuating mechanism includes a rotational link,a first trail-frame actuator, and a second trail-frame actuator. Thelateral transport system generally includes a transport frame connectedto the side of the tongue of the mowing device, first and secondtransport wheels rotatably connected to the transport frame, and atransport actuating mechanism for positioning the transport frame inbetween a retracted, stowed position and an extended, support positionfor transporting the mowing device. The transport actuating mechanismincludes a transport actuator for rotating the transport frame inbetween its stowed and support positions.

In another exemplary embodiment formed in accordance with the presentinvention, there is provided an agricultural mowing device configuredfor being towed behind an agricultural vehicle. The agricultural mowingdevice is configurable in a field position for cutting a crop materialin a field and a transport position for transporting the agriculturalmowing device. The agricultural mowing device includes a tongueconfigured for connecting to the agricultural vehicle, a trail framerotatably connected to the tongue, a cutter bar connected to the trailframe and configured for cutting the crop material in the fieldposition, a first trail-frame wheel and a second trail-frame wheel eachbeing rotatably connected to the trail frame and configured forsupporting the trail frame in the field position, and a first liftactuator operably connected in between the trail frame and the firsttrail-frame wheel and a second lift actuator operably connected inbetween the trail frame and the second trail-frame wheel. The first liftactuator and the second lift actuator are configured for lifting thetrail frame. The agricultural mowing device also includes a trail-frameactuating mechanism operably connected in between the tongue and thetrail frame and configured for rotating the trail frame, and a transportsystem. The transport system includes a transport frame, a firsttransport wheel and a second transport wheel each being rotatablyconnected to the transport frame and configured for supporting thetongue in the transport position, and a transport actuating mechanismrotatably connecting the transport frame to the tongue. The transportactuating mechanism includes a transport actuator operably connected inbetween the tongue and the transport frame and configured for rotatingthe transport frame.

In yet another exemplary embodiment formed in accordance with thepresent invention, there is provided an agricultural mowing assemblythat includes an agricultural vehicle and an agricultural mowing deviceconfigured for being towed by the agricultural vehicle. The agriculturalmowing device is configurable in a field position for cutting a cropmaterial in a field and a transport position for transporting theagricultural mowing device. The agricultural mowing device includes atongue connected to the agricultural vehicle, a trail frame rotatablyconnected to the tongue, a cutter bar connected to the trail frame andconfigured for cutting the crop material in the field position, a firsttrail-frame wheel and a second trail-frame wheel each being rotatablyconnected to the trail frame and configured for supporting the trailframe in the field position, and a first lift actuator operablyconnected in between the trail frame and the first trail-frame wheel anda second lift actuator operably connected in between the trail frame andthe second trail-frame wheel. The first lift actuator and the secondlift actuator are configured for lifting the trail frame. Theagricultural mowing device also includes a trail-frame actuatingmechanism operably connected in between the tongue and the trail frameand configured for rotating the trail frame, and a transport system. Thetransport system includes a transport frame, a first transport wheel anda second transport wheel each being rotatably connected to the transportframe and configured for supporting the tongue in the transportposition, and a transport actuating mechanism rotatably connecting thetransport frame to the tongue. The transport actuating mechanismincludes a transport actuator operably connected in between the tongueand the transport frame and configured for rotating the transport frame.

In yet another exemplary embodiment formed in accordance with thepresent invention, there is provided a method for operating anagricultural mowing assembly. The method includes an initial step ofproviding an agricultural mowing device configured for being towedbehind an agricultural vehicle. The agricultural mowing device isconfigurable in a field position for cutting a crop material in a fieldand a transport position for transporting the agricultural mowingdevice. The agricultural mowing device includes a tongue configured forconnecting to the agricultural vehicle, a trail frame rotatablyconnected to the tongue, a cutter bar connected to the trail frame andconfigured for cutting the crop material in the field position, a firsttrail-frame wheel and a second trail-frame wheel each being rotatablyconnected to the trail frame and configured for supporting the trailframe in the field position, and a first lift actuator operablyconnected in between the trail frame and the first trail-frame wheel anda second lift actuator operably connected in between the trail frame andthe second trail-frame wheel. The first lift actuator and the secondlift actuator being configured for lifting the trail frame. Theagricultural mowing device also includes a trail-frame actuatingmechanism operably connected in between the tongue and the trail frameand configured for rotating the trail frame, and a transport system. Thetransport system includes a transport frame, a first transport wheel anda second transport wheel each being rotatably connected to the transportframe and configured for supporting the tongue in the transportposition, and a transport actuating mechanism rotatably connecting thetransport frame to the tongue. The transport actuating mechanismincludes a transport actuator operably connected in between the tongueand the transport frame and configured for rotating the transport frame.The method includes the further step of positioning the agriculturalmowing device in the transport position by rotating the transport frame,by the transport actuator, from a retracted stowed position to anextended support position wherein the first transport wheel and thesecond transport wheel support the trail frame, and rotating the trailframe, by the second trail-frame actuator, about the axis of rotationsuch that trail frame is substantially aligned with the tongue forreducing an overall width of the agricultural mowing device. The methodincludes the further step of positioning the agricultural mowing devicein the field position by rotating the trail frame, by the secondtrail-frame actuator, about the axis of rotation such that the trailframe is substantially perpendicular to tongue for increasing theoverall width of the agricultural mowing device, and rotating thetransport frame, by the transport actuator, from the extended supportposition to the retracted stowed position wherein the transport frame islocated above the trail frame.

One possible advantage of the exemplary embodiment of the agriculturalmowing device is that the hydraulic system protects against accidentaloperation of the transport system during a field or transport operationthrough the use of position-based sequence and check valves.

Another possible advantage of the exemplary embodiment of theagricultural mowing device is that the hydraulic system ensures that theoperator cannot swing the trail frame in the wrong direction during thefinal stage of transport deployment, which would otherwise cause thetrail frame to contact the transport frame.

Yet another possible advantage of the exemplary embodiment of theagricultural mowing device is that the trail-frame actuating mechanismis streamlined for efficiently rotating the trail frame due to its twoopposing swing actuators being operably connected to the tongue via thesame rotating link.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For the purpose of illustration, there are shown in the drawings certainembodiments of the present invention. It should be understood, however,that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangements,dimensions, and instruments shown. Like numerals indicate like elementsthroughout the drawings. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of anagricultural mowing assembly, the agricultural mowing assembly includingan agricultural vehicle and a towed agricultural mowing device, theagricultural mowing device includes a tongue and a transport systemconnected to the tongue, and the agricultural mowing device is shown tobe in an intermediate field position, in accordance with an exemplaryembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates another perspective view of the agricultural mowingassembly of FIG. 1 , and the agricultural mowing device is shown to bein a full field left position;

FIG. 3 illustrates another perspective view of the agricultural mowingassembly of FIGS. 1-2 , and the agricultural mowing device is shown in afull field right position;

FIG. 4 illustrates a rear perspective view of the agricultural mowingdevice of FIGS. 2-3 , with the transport system deployed and beforelateral rotation of the trail frame;

FIG. 5 illustrates a side perspective view of the agricultural mowingdevice of FIGS. 1-4 , with the agricultural mowing device in a transportposition wherein the transport system is deployed for supporting theagricultural mowing device;

FIG. 6 illustrates a schematic of a hydraulic system of the agriculturalmowing device of FIGS. 1-5 , in accordance with an exemplary embodimentof the present invention; and

FIG. 7 illustrates a flow chart of a method for operating theagricultural mowing assembly, in accordance with an exemplary embodimentof the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The terms “forward”, “rearward”, “left” and “right”, when used inconnection with the agricultural mower and/or components thereof areusually determined with reference to the direction of forward operativetravel of the towing vehicle, but they should not be construed aslimiting. The terms “longitudinal” and “transverse” are determined withreference to the fore-and-aft direction of the towing vehicle and areequally not to be construed as limiting.

Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to FIGS. 1-5 ,there is shown an agricultural mowing assembly 100 that includes anagricultural vehicle 110 and an agricultural mowing device 120, which istowed by the agricultural vehicle 110 in a forward direction of travelF. The agricultural vehicle 110 generally includes a chassis, a primemover, wheels and/or tracts, and a cab for housing the operator. Thevehicle 110 can be in the form of any desired agricultural vehicle, suchas a tractor or self-propelled windrower.

The mowing device 120 may be in the form of a center pivot mower ormower conditioner 120. As shown, the mowing device 120 is in the form ofa center pivot mower conditioner 120. However, the mowing device 120 maybe in the form of any desired mowing device. The mowing device 120 isconfigurable in a field position for cutting a crop material in thefield (FIGS. 1-3 ) and a transport position for transporting theagricultural mowing device 120 (FIG. 5 ). The mowing device 120 may alsobe positioned between various field positions, such as an intermediatefield position (FIG. 1 ), a full field left position (FIG. 2 ), and afull field right position (FIG. 3 ). The mowing device 120 may generallyinclude a tongue 122 connected to the agricultural vehicle 110, a trailframe 124 rotatably connected to the tongue 122 about an axis ofrotation A1, trail-frame wheels 126, 128, a cutter bar 130, a pair ofconditioning rollers 132, a pair of lift actuators 134 operablyconnected in between the trail frame 124 and the trail-frame wheels 126,128, a trail-frame actuating mechanism 136 for rotating the trail frame124 and the cutter bar 130 therewith, and a lateral transport system 200connected to the tongue 122 for selectively supporting the mowing device120 in the transport position. The mowing device 120 may also include acontroller 150, with a memory 152, for automatically controlling thetrail-frame actuating mechanism 136 and the transport system 200.

The tongue 122 removably connects to the agricultural vehicle 110. Thetongue 122 has a first, proximal end and a second, distal end. The firstend of the tongue 122 is connected to the agricultural vehicle 110. Thesecond end of the tongue 122 rotatably mounts the trail frame 124 aboutthe axis of rotation. The second end of the tongue 122 may rotatablymount the trail frame 124 via any desired mounting bracket 138. Thetongue 122 may comprise any desired material, such as metal.

The trail frame 124 is rotatably connected to the tongue 122 via themounting bracket 138 and the trail frame 124 accordingly rotates aboutthe vertical axis of rotation A1. The trail frame 124 has a horizontalmain beam 140 and a pair of vertical side beams 142 which downwardlyextend from the main beam 140. The main beam 140 is rotatably connectedto the tongue 122 about the axis of rotation A1. The main beam 140 islocated underneath the transport system 200. The side beams 142respectively rotatably mount the trail-frame wheels 126, 128. The trailframe 124 supports the weight of the mowing device 120 in the fieldposition but the trail frame 124 does not support the weight of themowing device 120 in the transport position. Hence, the trail-framewheels 126, 128 support the trail frame 124 in the field position but donot support the trail frame 124, or any other component of the mowingdevice 120, in the transport position (FIG. 5 ). The trail frame 124 maycomprise any desired shape and material.

The cutter bar 130 is connected to the trail frame 124. The cutter bar130 cuts the crop material in the field position. The cutter bar 130 maybe in the form of any desired cutter bar 130, such as a sickle bar orrotating disc cutter bar. The cutter bar 130 has a front end or edge anda back end or edge that is located behind the front end in a directionof crop material flow, i.e., opposite to the forward direction travel F.The front end of the cutter bar 130 defines a front longitudinal axis.It should be appreciated that the front edge of the cutter bar 130 maybe defined by the front edge of the rock guards.

The conditioning rollers 132 are located downstream of the cutter bar130. The conditioning rollers 132 condition the crop material as itexits the mowing device 120. The conditioning rollers 132 may be in theform of any desired rollers. As can be appreciated, the mowing device120 may or may not include conditioning rollers 132.

The lift actuators 134 are respectively connected in between the trailframe 124 and the trail-frame wheels 126, 128. More particularly, eachlift actuator 134 is transversely connected in between the trail frame124 and an extension bracket (unnumbered) of a respective trail-framewheel 126, 128. The lift actuators 134 pivot the trail-frame wheels 126,128 up or down to thereby raise or lower the trail frame 124, i.e., therear of the mowing device 120. Thereby, the lift actuators 134 maycreate additional clearance or space for allowing the transport system200 to move into a position for supporting the mowing device 120. Thelift actuators 134 may be in the form of any desired hydraulic and/orelectric cylinders. For example, the lift actuators 134 may be in theform of hydraulic lift cylinders 134 which are hydraulically connectedto the hydraulic system of agricultural vehicle 110 via one or morefluid lines.

The trail-frame actuating mechanism 136 is operably connected in betweenthe tongue 122 and the trail frame 124. The trail-frame actuatingmechanism 136 rotates the trail frame 124 in between its field positionsfor field operation and its lateral position for transport. As usedherein, the field right and left positions of the trail frame 124 mayrefer to any desired field-operating orientation of the trail frame 124in which the trail frame 124 is not perpendicular to the tongue 122. Thetrail-frame actuating mechanism 136 includes a rotational link 144, afirst trail-frame actuator 146, and a second trail-frame actuator 148(FIG. 2 ). The rotational link 144 is rotatably connected to the tongue122 and extends outwardly from the tongue 122. The rotational link 144may be in the form of a flat plate. The rotational link 144 operablyconnects the first and second trail-frame actuators 146, 148 to thetongue 122 at a location which is distally located away from the tongue122 so that the first and second trail-frame actuators 146, 148 may actin conjunction to swing the trail frame 124 between its field right andleft positions and also rotate the trail frame 124 into and out of itslateral position in the transport position. The rotational link 144 iscapable of rotating forwardly or rearwardly relative to the tongue 122upon retraction or extension of the first and/or second trail-frameactuators 146, 148. The first trail-frame actuator 146 is connected tothe trail frame 124, via a corresponding bracket (unnumbered), and therotational link 144. The second trail-frame actuator 148 is connected tothe tongue 122 and the rotational link 144. The first and/or secondtrail-frame actuator 146, 148 may be used to rotate the trail frame 124throughout any desired position of the trail frame 124. By way ofexample only, the first trail-frame actuator 146 may be in the form of afield swing actuator 146 for rotating the trail frame 124 in between itsfield intermediate, right, and left positions. The second trail-frameactuator 148 may be in the form of a transport swing actuator 148 forrotating the trail frame 124 in between its lateral position fortransport and its extended, e.g. substantially perpendicular, fieldposition for field operation. The first and second trail-frame actuators146, 148 may be in the form of any desired hydraulic and/or electriccylinders. For example, the first and second trail-frame actuators 146,148 may be in the form of hydraulic cylinders 146, 148 which arehydraulically connected to the hydraulic system of agricultural vehicle110 via one or more fluid lines. As can be appreciated, the first andsecond trail-frame actuators 146, 148 may or may not be identicalactuators.

The transport system 200 supports the mowing device 120, e.g. the trailframe 124, the cutter bar 130, and/or the tongue 122, in the transportposition (FIG. 5 ) but does not support the mowing device 120 in thefield position (FIGS. 1-2 ). The transport system 200 includes atransport frame 202 rotatably connected to the tongue 122, transportwheels 204, 206 rotatably connected to the transport frame 202, and atransport actuating mechanism 208 for movably, i.e., rotatably,connecting the transport frame 202 to the tongue 122. Since thetransport system 200 is connected to the side of the tongue 122, thetransport system 200 does not move in conjunction with the trail frame124. Also, the side or lateral location of the transport system 200allows the weight of the mowing device 120 to be more evenly distributedbetween the transport wheels 204, 206.

The transport frame 202 is rotatable in between a retracted stowedposition in the field position wherein the transport frame 202 islocated above the trail frame 124 (FIGS. 1-3 ) and an extended supportposition in the transport position wherein the transport wheels 204, 206support the trail frame 124 (FIG. 5 ). The transport frame 202 isrotatably connected to the tongue 122, via the transport actuatingmechanism 208, at a location which is forward of the axis of rotation A1of the trail frame 124 in the direction of forward travel F. Hence, thetransport frame 202 is at least partially located in front of the axisof rotation A1 of the trail frame 124 in the direction of forward travelF in the field position, and the transport frame 202 is locatedrearwardly of the axis of rotation A1 of the trail frame 124 in thedirection of forward travel F in the transport position. The transportframe 202 rotates about a substantially horizontal axis of rotation,plus or minus 30 degrees. Also, the connection point of the transportframe 202 is located vertically above the main beam 140 of the trailframe 124. Thus, the main beam 140 is located underneath the transportframe 202 in the field position such that the main beam 140 passesunderneath the transport wheels 204, 206 when the transport frame 202 isin the retracted stowed position in the field position. The transportframe 202 may include one or more beams which define a bent, elongatedmember and an axle for mounting the transport wheels 204, 206. Hence,the transport wheels 204, 206 are jointly mounted on a common axle. Thetransport frame 202 may comprise any desired shape and material.

The first and second transport wheels 204, 206 support the weight of themowing device 120, e.g. the weight of the trail frame 124, the cutterbar 130, and/or the tongue 122, upon being fully deployed in thetransport position of the mowing device 120. The first transport wheel204 may be considered a front or left transport wheel 204, and thesecond transport wheel 206 may be considered a back or right transportwheel 206. The transport wheels 204, 206 may be identical and thus havethe same material, size, and weight capacity. The transport wheels 204,206 may comprise any desired wheels. The first transport wheel 204 isradially located closer to the axis of rotation A1 of the trail frame124 than the front end of the cutter bar 130 in the transport position.Hence, both transport wheels 204, 206 are located behind the frontlongitudinal axis of the front end of the cutter bar 130, which in turnmore evenly distributes the weight of the mowing device 120 between thefront and rear transport wheels 204, 206.

The transport actuating mechanism 208 includes a linkage assembly 210,with multiple links (unnumbered), and a transport actuator 220 operablyconnected in between the tongue 122 and the transport frame 202, via thelinkage assembly 210. The transport actuating mechanism 208 may alsoinclude one or more brackets 222, 224 for mounting the linkage assembly210 and the transport actuator 220 to the side of the tongue 122. Forinstance, one bracket 222 may be in the form of an elongated bracketthat extends outwardly and perpendicularly from the side of the tongue122, and another bracket 224 may be in the form of a shorter actuatorbracket 224 that is connected to the side of the tongue 122 in front ofthe location point of the elongated bracket 222. The linkage assembly210 is rotatably connected in between the transport frame 202 and thetongue 122. The linkage assembly 210 may include a first link connectedin between the elongated bracket 222 and the transport frame 202, asecond, upper link connected in between the elongated bracket 222 andthe transport frame 202, a third link connected to the second link, anda fourth link connected to the elongated bracket 222, the third link,and the transport actuator 220. It should be appreciated that thelinkage assembly 210 may include any desired number of links, such astwo, three, four, five, or more links. The transport actuator 220 may beconnected in between the linkage assembly 210, i.e., fourth link, andthe tongue 122 via the actuator bracket 224. The transport actuator 220may be in the form of any desired hydraulic and/or electrical cylinder.For instance, the transport actuator 220 may be in the form of ahydraulic cylinder 220 which is hydraulically connected to the hydraulicsystem of agricultural vehicle 110 via one or more fluid lines. Thetransport actuator 220 may be the only actuator for moving the transportframe 202.

The controller 150 is operably connected to the lift, trail-frame, andtransport actuators 134, 146, 148, 220. The controller 150 may also beoperably connected to a user interface within the cab of theagricultural vehicle 110. The controller 150 may automatically positionthe mowing device 120 in its transport position or field position uponthe user inputting a corresponding command into the user interface. Thecontroller 150 may be a standalone controller or integrated into theexisting hardware and/or software of the agricultural vehicle 110 and/ormowing device 120.

Referring now to FIG. 6 , there is shown an exemplary embodiment of aposition and pressure-based hydraulic system 600 for the transportsystem 200. The hydraulic system 600 may generally include the liftactuators 134, the field swing actuator 146, the transport swingactuator 148, the transport actuator 220, and directional control valves602, 604, 606 respectively fluidly connected the lift actuators 134,field and transport swing actuators 146, 148, and the transport actuator220. The directional control valves 602, 604, 606 may include a liftvalve 602 fluidly connected to the lift actuators 134, a transport valve604 fluidly connected to the transport actuator 220 and the transportswing actuator 148, and a swing valve 606 fluidly connected to the fieldswing actuator 146. The lift, transport, and swing valves 602, 604, 606may be operably connected to the controller 150. Thereby, the controller150 may selectively activate the lift, transport, and swing valves 602,604, 606 to position the mowing device 120 in between its field andtransport positions. Accordingly, the hydraulic system 600 may include alift function, a swing function, a transport deployment function, and atransport stowage function for controlling the operation of the liftactuators 134, the field swing actuator 146, the transport swingactuator 148, and the transport actuator 220.

The hydraulic system 600 may also include a hydraulic manifold 610 withmultiple hydraulic fluid lines, sequence valves 611, 612, 613, 614, 615,616 and pilot operated check valves 620, 621, 622, 623. The hydraulicmanifold 610 is fluidly connected in between the actuators 134, 146,148, 220 and their corresponding valves 602, 604, 606. The hydraulicsystem 600 may or may not include a windrow shield actuator 630, forfolding the windrow shields in the transport position, and a tiltactuator 632 for tilting the mowing device 120. Furthermore, thehydraulic system 600 may include a relief valve 634, hydraulic pump 636,and multiple shuttle valves (unnumbered). The hydraulic system 600 maybe incorporated as part of the agricultural vehicle 110 and/or themowing device 120. For instance, the directional valves 602, 604, 606,hydraulic pump 636, and relief valve 634 may be positioned on theagricultural vehicle 110 and the hydraulic manifold 610 and actuators134, 146, 148, 220 may be located on the mowing device 120. It should beappreciated that the hydraulic manifold 610 may be automatically and/ormanually controlled. For instance, the hydraulic system 600 may includeone or more hand-controlled inputs, e.g. levers, switches, etc., whichthe operator can manually operate to activate any desired component ofthe hydraulic system 600, such as the directional valves 602, 604, 606.

The hydraulic system 600 has a built-in lockout feature wherein thetransport hydraulics, e.g. the transport actuators 220, 148 and fluidlines thereof, are prevented from operating unless the field swingcylinder 146 is fully retracted in the full field right position of themowing device 120 and the lift actuators 134 are fully extended in thefully elevated position of the mowing device 120. The check valves 620,621, 622, 623 render the transport actuators 220, 148 non-functional atany time when the lift actuators 134 are not fully extended and thefield swing actuator 146 is not fully retracted. Thus, this lockoutfeature prevents the use of the transport system 200 during fieldoperation, such as when mowing, or during roadway transport.Furthermore, the hydraulic system 600 also ensures that the trail frame124 cannot rotate in the wrong direction during the final stage ofdeploying the transport system 200, which may cause damage to the trailframe 124 and/or transport system 200. For instance, the lockout featureensures that the trail frame 124 is located in its full field rightposition, as opposed to the field left or intermediate position, suchthat when the transport frame 202 is rotated downwardly it does notcontact the trail frame 124, and once the transport frame 202 is fullydeployed, the trail frame 124 is prevented from rotating in the wrongdirection which would cause the trail frame 124 to contact the transportframe 202.

To start the lift function of the hydraulic system 600 in order to raisethe mowing device 120, the controller 150 will shift the lift valve 602so that the lift actuators 134 start raising the trail frame 124. Theextension of the actuators 134 will then trip the sequence valve 616 andopens the check valves 620, 622. It is noted that if the mowing device120 includes a tilt actuator 632, then the tilt cylinder will alsoretract upon raising the mowing device 120. To start the swing functionof the hydraulic system 600 in order to position the mowing device 120in its field positions, the controller 150 will shift the swing valve606 to retract and/or extend the field swing actuator 146. This willthen trip the sequence valve 611 and open the check valves 621, 623. Itis noted that the sequence valve 611 will remain closed if the fieldswing actuator 146 fully extends.

To start the transport deployment function of the hydraulic system 600,in a first stage, the controller 150 will fully extend the liftactuators 134, and lock the lift valve 602 therewith, and fully retractthe field swing actuator 146, and lock the swing valve 606 therewith.Thereafter, the controller 150 will shift the transport valve 604 toextend the transport swing actuator 148. In so doing, the controller 150will also lock the transport valve 604 in this position throughoutdeployment of the transport frame 202 so that a hydraulic fluid flow isprovided through the check valves 620, 621 in order to extend thetransport actuator 220. During a second stage of the transportdeployment function, the lift, transport, and swing valves 602, 604, 606will remain locked for transport, the transport swing actuator 148 hasbeen completely extended, and now the sequence valve 612 will trip andallow hydraulic fluid flow to the windrow shield actuator 630, ifequipped. If the mowing device 120 is not equipped with such a windrowshield actuator 630, then this stage of the sequence may be omitted.During a third stage of the transport deployment function, the swingvalve 606, and transport valve 604 will remain locked for transport, thewindrow shield actuator 630 will be fully extended, and now sequencevalve 613 will trip and allow hydraulic fluid flow to the transportactuator 220. During a fourth stage of the transport deploymentfunction, the controller 150 will shift the transport valve 604 to theblocked position and will shift the swing valve 606 to fully extend thefield swing actuator 146 in order to place the trail frame 124 in itsfull lateral transport position, wherein the trail frame 124 issubstantially parallel to the tongue 122. During a fifth stage of thetransport deployment function, the controller 150 will shift the liftvalve 602 to its lower position, and thereby the lift actuators 134 willretract and lift the field wheels 126, 128 upwardly to increase groundclearance. During steady-state, i.e., constant, transport or roadoperation of the mowing device 120, the check valves 620, 621, 622, 623will be closed, which disables transport hydraulic function duringtransport of the mowing device 120.

To start the transport stowage function of the hydraulic system 600, ina first stage transitioning from the deployed position to the stowedposition of the transport system 200, the controller 150 will shift thelift valve 602 to extend the lift actuators 134, tripping the sequencevalve 616 and opening the check valves 620, 622. The controller 150 willalso shift the swing valve 606 to retract and pressurize the field swingactuator 146, tripping sequence valve 611 and opening the check valves621, 623. Thereafter, the controller 150 will shift the transport valve604 to provide hydraulic fluid flow through the check valves 622, 623.Then, the transport actuator 220 will retract. The transport valve 604will remain locked in this position through stowage of the transportsystem 200. During a second stage of the transport stowage function, thelift valve 602 and the swing valve 606 will remain locked, to keep thecheck valves 620, 622, 621, 623 open, and the transport valve 604 willremain locked. Once the transport actuator 220 has fully retracted, thesequence valve 614 will trip, which allows hydraulic fluid flow toretract the windrow shield actuator 630, if equipped. During a thirdstage of the transport stowage function, the lift valve 602 and theswing valve 606 will remain locked, to keep the check valves 620, 622,621, 623 open, and the transport valve 604 will remain locked. After thewindrow shield actuator 630 has fully retracted, the sequence valve 615will trip, which allows hydraulic fluid flow through to retract thetransport swing actuator 148. During a fourth stage of the transportstowage function, the transport swing cylinder 148 has been completelyretracted and the transport valve 604 shifts into its closed position bythe controller 150. The controller 150 will also shift the lift valve602 and the swing valve 606 to their respective closed position, therebyclosing the check valves 620, 621, 622, 623 and locking out thetransport hydraulics from operation. At the end of the fourth stage, themowing device 120 may be in its full field right position.

Referring now to FIG. 7 , there is shown a flowchart of a method 1000for operating an agricultural mowing assembly 100. The method 1000initially includes the step of providing the mowing device 120 with thetransport system 200 as described above (at block 1002). The transporthydraulics of the transport system 200 may be prevented from operationuntil the mowing device 120 is positioned in its full field right orleft position and then in its fully lifted position. In other words, themethod 1000 may include the initial steps of locking the transportactuator 220, by the check valves 620, 621, 622, 623, when the mowingdevice 120 is being moved in its field and/or transport positions, andunlocking the transport actuator 220, by the plurality of check valves620, 621, 622, 623, by fully retracting the field swing actuator 146 andfully extending the lift actuators 134. Therefore, in order to engagethe transport system 200, the mowing device 120 may be initiallypositioned in its full field right or left position by the field swingactuator 146 (at step 1004). For example, the mowing device 120 may bepositioned in its full field right position by fully retracting thefield swing actuator 146. Then, the mowing device 120 may be raised, bythe lift actuators 134, in order to lift or raise the mowing device 120in a fully elevated position (at block 1006). This fully elevatedposition provides additional ground clearance that enables thedeployment of the transport system 200. It should be appreciated thatthe method step 1006 may occur first before the method step 1004. Atthis point, once the mowing device 120 is oriented in this lockoutposition, the transport hydraulics of the transport system 200 may beunlocked for allowing the operation thereof. Next, the trail frame 124may be rotated once again by fully extending the transport swingactuator 148 (at block 1008). Thus, the trail frame 124 may besubstantially perpendicular to the tongue 122, plus or minus 30 degrees,even though the field swing cylinder 146 has remained fully retracted.Then, to position the mowing device 120 in the transport position, thetransport frame 202 may be fully deployed and the trail frame 124 may berotated to accordingly reduce the overall width of the mowing device120. For example, the transport system 200 may be deployed by rotatingthe transport frame 202, by the transport actuator 220, from itsretracted stowed position into its extended support position (at block1010; FIG. 4 ). Thereby, the transport wheels 204, 206 are moved towardthe ground, and the transport wheels 204, 206 accordingly lift thetrail-frame wheels 126, 128 off the ground. When the transport wheels204, 206 are fully deployed, the trail frame 124 may be rotated, byfully extending the field swing actuator 146, so that the trail frame124 is substantially aligned with the tongue 122, for examplesubstantially parallel to the tongue 122, plus or minus 30 degrees (atblock 1012; FIG. 5 ). In this laterally aligned position of the trailframe 124, both of the field and transport cylinders 146, 148 may befully extended. Thereafter, the mowing device 120, which now has asmaller overall width, may be towed by the agricultural vehicle 110. Ascan be appreciated, the mowing device 120 may be positioned in the fieldposition by performing the method steps 1012, 1010, 1008, 1006 of themethod 1000 in reverse order. Therein, the transport frame 202 may berotated from its extended support position into its retracted position,the trail frame 124 may be rotated to be substantially perpendicular totongue 122, plus or minus 30 degrees, for increasing the overall widthof the mowing device 120, and the mowing device 120 may be lowered bythe lift actuators 134. It should be appreciated that the operator maystay within the cab of the agricultural vehicle 110 while the method1000 is conducted by the controller 150. It should also be appreciatedthat the method 1000 may be conducted manually by the operator, whereinthe operator activates the directional valves 602, 604, 606 by hand.

It is to be understood that the steps of the method 1000 are performedby the controller 150 upon loading and executing software code orinstructions which are tangibly stored on a tangible computer readablemedium, such as on a magnetic medium, e.g., a computer hard drive, anoptical medium, e.g., an optical disc, solid-state memory, e.g., flashmemory, or other storage media known in the art. Thus, any of thefunctionality performed by the controller 150 described herein, such asthe method 1000, is implemented in software code or instructions whichare tangibly stored on a tangible computer readable medium. Thecontroller 150 loads the software code or instructions via a directinterface with the computer readable medium or via a wired and/orwireless network. Upon loading and executing such software code orinstructions by the controller 150, the controller 150 may perform anyof the functionality of the controller 150 described herein, includingany steps of the method 1000 described herein.

The term “software code” or “code” used herein refers to anyinstructions or set of instructions that influence the operation of acomputer or controller. They may exist in a computer-executable form,such as machine code, which is the set of instructions and data directlyexecuted by a computer's central processing unit or by a controller, ahuman-understandable form, such as source code, which may be compiled inorder to be executed by a computer's central processing unit or by acontroller, or an intermediate form, such as object code, which isproduced by a compiler. As used herein, the term “software code” or“code” also includes any human-understandable computer instructions orset of instructions, e.g., a script, that may be executed on the flywith the aid of an interpreter executed by a computer's centralprocessing unit or by a controller.

These and other advantages of the present invention will be apparent tothose skilled in the art from the foregoing specification. Accordingly,it is to be recognized by those skilled in the art that changes ormodifications may be made to the above-described embodiments withoutdeparting from the broad inventive concepts of the invention. It is tobe understood that this invention is not limited to the particularembodiments described herein, but is intended to include all changes andmodifications that are within the scope and spirit of the invention.

The invention claimed is:
 1. An agricultural mowing device configuredfor being towed behind an agricultural vehicle, the agricultural mowingdevice being configurable in a field position for cutting a cropmaterial in a field and a transport position for transporting theagricultural mowing device, the agricultural mowing device comprising: atongue configured for connecting to the agricultural vehicle, the tongueincluding a vertically oriented lateral side a trail frame rotatablyconnected to the tongue; a cutter bar connected to the trail frame andconfigured for cutting the crop material in the field position; a firsttrail-frame wheel and a second trail-frame wheel each being rotatablyconnected to the trail frame and configured for supporting the trailframe in the field position; a first lift actuator operably connected inbetween the trail frame and the first trail-frame wheel and a secondlift actuator operably connected in between the trail frame and thesecond trail-frame wheel, and the first lift actuator and the secondlift actuator being configured for lifting the trail frame; atrail-frame actuating mechanism operably connected in between the tongueand the trail frame and configured for rotating the trail frame; and atransport system, comprising: a transport frame; a first transport wheeland a second transport wheel each being rotatably connected to thetransport frame and configured for supporting the tongue in thetransport position; and a transport actuating mechanism rotatablyconnecting the transport frame to the tongue, and the transportactuating mechanism comprising a transport actuator operably connectedin between the tongue and the transport frame and configured forrotating the transport frame, the transport actuator being mounted tothe vertically oriented lateral side of the tongue.
 2. The agriculturalmowing device of claim 1, wherein the trail-frame actuating mechanismcomprises a rotational link rotatably connected to the tongue andextending outwardly from the tongue, a first trail-frame actuatorconnected to the trail frame and the rotational link, and a secondtrail-frame actuator connected to the tongue and the rotational link. 3.The agricultural mowing device of claim 2, wherein the first trail-frameactuator is in the form of a field swing actuator configured forrotating the trail frame in the field position and the secondtrail-frame actuator is in the form of a transport swing actuatorconfigured for rotating the trail frame to be substantially parallel tothe tongue in the transport position.
 4. The agricultural mowing deviceof claim 2, further comprising a hydraulic system comprising the firstlift actuator, the second lift actuator, the first trail-frame actuator,the second trail-frame actuator, the transport actuator, a lift valvefluidly connected to the first lift actuator and the second liftactuator, a transport valve fluidly connected to the transport actuatorand the second trail-frame actuator, and a swing valve fluidly connectedto the first trail-frame actuator.
 5. The agricultural mowing device ofclaim 4, wherein the hydraulic system further comprises a hydraulicmanifold fluidly connected in between the lift valve, the transportvalve, and the swing valve and the first lift actuator, the second liftactuator, the transport actuator, the first trail-frame actuator, thesecond trail-frame actuator, and the hydraulic manifold comprising aplurality of sequence valves and a plurality of check valves.
 6. Theagricultural mowing device of claim 5, wherein the hydraulic system hasa built-in lockout feature such that the transport actuator is preventedfrom operating by the plurality of check valves unless the firsttrail-frame actuator is fully retracted and the first and second liftactuators are fully extended.
 7. The agricultural mowing device of claim1, wherein the transport actuating mechanism further comprises a linkageassembly rotatably connected in between the transport frame and thetongue, and the transport actuator is connected in between the tongueand the linkage assembly.
 8. The agricultural mowing device of claim 1,wherein the transport frame is configured for being retracted and stowedin the field position wherein the transport frame is located above thetrail frame and extended in the transport position wherein the firsttransport wheel and the second transport wheel support the tongue.
 9. Anagricultural mowing assembly, comprising: an agricultural vehicle; andan agricultural mowing device configured for being towed by theagricultural vehicle, the agricultural mowing device being configurablein a field position for cutting a crop material in a field and atransport position for transporting the agricultural mowing device, theagricultural mowing device comprising: a tongue connected to theagricultural vehicle, the tongue including a vertically oriented lateralside a trail frame rotatably connected to the tongue; a cutter barconnected to the trail frame and configured for cutting the cropmaterial in the field position; a first trail-frame wheel and a secondtrail-frame wheel each being rotatably connected to the trail frame andconfigured for supporting the trail frame in the field position; a firstlift actuator operably connected in between the trail frame and thefirst trail-frame wheel and a second lift actuator operably connected inbetween the trail frame and the second trail-frame wheel, and the firstlift actuator and the second lift actuator being configured for liftingthe trail frame; a trail-frame actuating mechanism operably connected inbetween the tongue and the trail frame and configured for rotating thetrail frame; and a transport system, comprising: a transport frame; afirst transport wheel and a second transport wheel each being rotatablyconnected to the transport frame and configured for supporting thetongue in the transport position; and a transport actuating mechanismrotatably connecting the transport frame to the tongue, and thetransport actuating mechanism comprising a transport actuator operablyconnected in between the tongue and the transport frame and configuredfor rotating the transport frame, the transport actuator being mountedto the vertically oriented lateral side of the tongue.
 10. Theagricultural mowing assembly of claim 9, wherein the trail-frameactuating mechanism comprises a rotational link rotatably connected tothe tongue and extending outwardly from the tongue, a first trail-frameactuator connected to the trail frame and the rotational link, and asecond trail-frame actuator connected to the tongue and the rotationallink.
 11. The agricultural mowing assembly of claim 10, wherein thefirst trail-frame actuator is in the form of a field swing actuatorconfigured for rotating the trail frame in the field position and thesecond trail-frame actuator is in the form of a transport swing actuatorconfigured for rotating the trail frame to be substantially parallel tothe tongue in the transport position.
 12. The agricultural mowingassembly of claim 10, further comprising a hydraulic system comprisingthe first lift actuator, the second lift actuator, the first trail-frameactuator, the second trail-frame actuator, the transport actuator, alift valve fluidly connected to the first lift actuator and the secondlift actuator, a transport valve fluidly connected to the transportactuator and the second trail-frame actuator, and a swing valve fluidlyconnected to the first trail-frame actuator.
 13. The agricultural mowingassembly of claim 12, wherein the hydraulic system further comprises ahydraulic manifold fluidly connected in between the lift valve, thetransport valve, and the swing valve and the first lift actuator, thesecond lift actuator, the transport actuator, the first trail-frameactuator, and the second trail-frame actuator, and the hydraulicmanifold comprising a plurality of sequence valves and a plurality ofcheck valves.
 14. The agricultural mowing assembly of claim 13, whereinthe hydraulic system has a built-in lockout feature such that thetransport actuator is prevented from operating by the plurality of checkvalves unless the first trail-frame actuator is fully retracted and thefirst and second lift actuators are fully extended.
 15. The agriculturalmowing assembly of claim 9, wherein the transport actuating mechanismfurther comprises a linkage assembly rotatably connected in between thetransport frame and the tongue, and the transport actuator is connectedin between the tongue and the linkage assembly.
 16. The agriculturalmowing assembly of claim 9, wherein the transport frame is configuredfor being retracted and stowed in the field position wherein thetransport frame is located above the trail frame and extended in thetransport position wherein the first transport wheel and the secondtransport wheel support the tongue.
 17. A method for operating anagricultural mowing assembly, comprising: configuring an agriculturalmowing device to be towed behind an agricultural vehicle, theagricultural mowing device being configurable in a field position forcutting a crop material in a field and a transport position fortransporting the agricultural mowing device, the agricultural mowingdevice comprising a tongue configured for connecting to the agriculturalvehicle, a trail frame rotatably connected to the tongue, a cutter barconnected to the trail frame and configured for cutting the cropmaterial in the field position, a first trail-frame wheel and a secondtrail-frame wheel each being rotatably connected to the trail frame andconfigured for supporting the trail frame in the field position, a firstlift actuator operably connected in between the trail frame and thefirst trail-frame wheel and a second lift actuator operably connected inbetween the trail frame and the second trail-frame wheel, and the firstlift actuator and the second lift actuator being configured for liftingthe trail frame, a trail-frame actuating mechanism operably connected inbetween the tongue and the trail frame and configured for rotating thetrail frame, and a transport system comprising a transport frame, afirst transport wheel and a second transport wheel each being rotatablyconnected to the transport frame and configured for supporting thetongue in the transport position, and a transport actuating mechanismrotatably connecting the transport frame to the tongue, and thetransport actuating mechanism comprising a transport actuator operablyconnected in between the tongue and the transport frame and configuredfor rotating the transport frame; positioning the agricultural mowingdevice in the transport position by: rotating the transport frame, bythe transport actuator, from a retracted stowed position to an extendedsupport position wherein the first transport wheel and the secondtransport wheel support the trail frame; and rotating the trail frame,by a trail-frame actuator, about an axis of rotation such that the trailframe is substantially aligned with the tongue for reducing an overallwidth of the agricultural mowing device; and positioning theagricultural mowing device in the field position by: rotating the trailframe, by the trail-frame actuator, about the axis of rotation such thatthe trail frame is substantially perpendicular to the tongue forincreasing the overall width of the agricultural mowing device; androtating the transport frame, by the transport actuator, from theextended support position to the retracted stowed position wherein thetransport frame is located above the trail frame.
 18. The method ofclaim 17, wherein the tail-frame actuator is a second tail-frameactuator, wherein the trail-frame actuating mechanism comprises arotational link rotatably connected to the tongue and extendingoutwardly from the tongue, a first trail-frame actuator connected to thetrail frame and the rotational link, and the second trail-frame actuatorconnected to the tongue and the rotational link.
 19. The method of claim18, wherein the agricultural mowing device further comprises a hydraulicsystem comprising the first lift actuator, the second lift actuator, thefirst trail-frame actuator, the second trail-frame actuator, thetransport actuator, a lift valve fluidly connected to the first liftactuator and the second lift actuator, a transport valve fluidlyconnected to the transport actuator and the second trail-frame actuator,a swing valve fluidly connected to the first trail-frame actuator, and ahydraulic manifold fluidly connected in between the lift valve, thetransport valve, and the swing valve and the first lift actuator, thesecond lift actuator, the transport actuator, the first trail-frameactuator, the second trail-frame actuator, and the hydraulic manifoldcomprising a plurality of sequence valves and a plurality of checkvalves.
 20. The method of claim 19, wherein the hydraulic system has abuilt-in lockout feature such that the transport actuator is preventedfrom operating by the plurality of check valves unless the firsttrail-frame actuator is fully retracted and the first and second liftactuators are fully extended, and wherein the method further comprisesthe steps of locking the transport actuator, by the plurality of checkvalves, and unlocking the transport actuator, by the plurality of checkvalves, by fully retracting the first trail-frame actuator and fullyextending the first and second lift actuators.